AP
By
Judi Ketteler
We know you’ve got your own questions about erectile dysfunction. John Salerno, D.O., with
Patients Medical in New York City, who specializes in
men’s health and
male sexual dysfunction, is here to answer your most pressing questions about this common condition.
AOL Health: My partner is having trouble getting an erection, and I feel like it’s my fault. What do I do?
Women sometimes feel that ED happens because of a problem with the relationship. But ED is a blood flow issue, so it can be physiological problem that has nothing to do with her,” Dr. Salerno says. A lot of women worry that they aren’t sexy enough, and that is often the furthest from the truth. Women should get involved and talk to their partner about ED. It’s a very easy thing for a man to have checked, and it’s not difficult to treat. Plus, it could be a sign of something more serious, like
heart disease. So you should definitely encourage the man to get it checked out.
AOL Health: After my partner takes an ED drug, will it become a game of "beat the clock" or is there a wider time frame?Viagra and
Cialis is about four hours or so.
Levitra is supposed to last five hours. “So the man needs to be sexually excited during that time frame, and we tell patients to give the drugs about 30 minute to start working. For the drug to work, a man will still need to be psychologically and physically stimulated,” he says.
AOL Health: Too much alcohol can make it difficult for my partner to get an erection. Can ED drugs counteract the effects of alcohol?
No, not likely. “Alcohol can decrease blood flow to the penis, so it’s counterproductive to drink if you have ED issues because it will make it that much more difficult for ED drugs to work,” Dr. Salerno says. Taking an ED drug to counteract the effect of drinking will probably not work.
AOL Health: Is it harmful for a man to take an ED drug if he doesn’t have ED?
“We don’t advocate taking these drugs unless there is an ED issue,” he says. There is some anecdotal evidence that ED drugs can intensify orgasm. But remember, there are some side effects, like
change in vision,back pain, and
heartburn, he says.
AOL Health: Could ED drugs have an effect on a woman if she took one?
Some women have reported feeling increased arousal, so it probably does work for women because it could increase blood flow to the clitoris, Dr. Salerno says. “Some studies have shown that ED meds might be effective for women with sexual dysfunction. But for now, prescribing them for women would be an off-label use only; they haven’t been approved for women.”
AOL Health: Will ED drugs help if my partner’s ED issues are more mental than physical?
“ED drugs generally don’t take care of the psychological component involved in getting an erection,” he says. “Things like low libido or
depression have to be treated differently.” Dr. Salerno also emphasizes that overall good health -- including diet -- can make a difference, which is why he started
The Silver Cloud Diet.AOL Health: What do I do if my partner has an erection that lasts for more than four hours?
He needs to seek help right away at the emergency room because it is considered a medical emergency, Dr. Salerno says. He would need some medication to decrease the blood flow away from the penis. “Sometimes, there can be varicose veins in the penis, or little bit of plaque buildup in artery going to penis. The ED drug can increase the blood flow in, but it still might be difficult for the blood to flow back out,” he explains. Also, if it happens once, it’s more likely to happen again.
AOL Health: Do ED drugs make a difference if my partner has a penile implant?
Maybe, or maybe not. “If the penile implants are working well, then it can help to enhance the erection. But if the implant isn’t working, then the drugs won’t have an effect,” Dr. Salerno says. Some literature shows an enhanced pleasure by taking Viagra with a penile implant, he says.
